Mutuality Groups

In the Trillium path and Waking Down work, a mutuality group (sometimes called a mutualitycircle) is a gathering in which all participants engage with each other as peers, for the purpose of deepening their understanding and personal experience of conscious embodied awakening in mutuality.

The Trillium Awakening Teachers Circle (TATC) has created general Mutuality Group Guidelines – guidelines for holding and facilitating a Trillium Mutuality Group. Please note that these guidelines are a work-in-progress! Community members are welcome to provide comments, questions, and/or suggestions to Don Freas, who is energizing the TATC role of Mutuality Group Link for Cielle Backstrom, for consideration. Note: a mutuality group that wishes to be recognized by the TATC and listed on the main Trillium Awakening website must agree to follow to these guidelines.

In addition to the general mutuality group guidelines, individuals are encouraged to follow these Guidelines for Practicing Mutuality which outline the specific practices of listening and reflecting that cultivate a “safe enough” environment, allowing mutuality to grow and facilitating embodiment.

Peer mutuality groups are typically facilitated by an experienced TA practitioner or mentor and are typically free of charge. Each group decides how frequently they meet and the format, which can include meditation, mutual gazing, sharing and peer reflecting, and discussion of WD readings, videos, or online courses.

Groups can be open so anyone in the TA community can drop in anytime. Or they can be closed and consist of a committed group of participants.

Note: These groups are intended to supplement, rather than be substitutes for, sittings and sessions with TA teachers. In fact, it’s strongly recommended that participants in mutuality groups also be working with TA teachers in an ongoing way.

Prerequisites for Participating in a Mutuality Group (whether in-person or virtual)

In-Person Mutuality Groups

If you are interested in joining an in-person mutuality group, you can check out our convenient map or contact your nearest area coordinator to inquire if one exists in your area. If there is no local group available, and you would like to start one of your own, please contact Don Freas, Mutuality Group Link, for initial guidance.

‘Virtual’ Mutuality Groups

The benefit of in-person groups — You get to experience body-to-body mutuality, which many feel is most catalytic for their process.

The benefit of phone bridges — You can join from anywhere, and some people feel they can relax more and go into deeper expression without the visual distraction.

The benefit of Google Hangout and Skype — Everyone in the group, from anywhere in the world — including Europe and Australia, can see each other. It’s a fantastic way to build more connection, intimacy, and support across the international WD community!

With both Google Hangout and Skype, anyone can do video calls with groups for free for everyone, and the window feature allows participants to gaze, and be able to connect more deeply with the person who is sharing.

Both Google+ and Skype can hold up to 9 people on a video call, but the stability of the call diminishes when more than 6 or 7 people participate. Participants will need a good headset with a microphone to improve call quality and reduce audio feedback. Technical details about the video calls will be communicated to you prior to your first group call.

Here’s what people are saying….“I really like the Mutuality Hangout on Google+ because I can meet and get to know people from other areas; it would otherwise be difficult to do that. It has worked very well once we figured out how to work out some bugs, like echoes. I like being able to gaze and see people as they share. I prefer being in a committed group because people are able to share more deeply without having to explain too much of their background. It provides safety and connection, which I also really enjoy.”

M.S. from Boston

Join a Virtual Mutuality Group Now! – An invitation from our Virtual Group Coordinator:

Hi everybody, I am happy to announce that I am taking over the organization and ongoing support of Virtual Mutuality Peer Groups from Gena Netten. I am so grateful to Gena for creating a system to facilitate more community for those of us with limited or no access to sittings or a local Waking Down community. I have been in a Skype group for the last year and a half. The group has given me so much love and support for my ongoing awakening process. I cherish our biweekly meetings.

The way it works is this: if you are interested in joining a group, first fill out and send in the registration form (link below) and I will match you up with a group. If you are a mentor, I would most likely ask you to serve as a moderator in a group. If you accept this role, you would be responsible for running the group – timing shares, holding space, deeply listening and offering reflection if the person desires, scheduling and sending reminders. As a mentor, I find my peer group unique in that I both practice deep listening and reflection while also taking time to share myself and receive support.

I am up and running and ready to help organize groups. You don’t have to live in a remote area; groups are open to anyone in Waking Down. If you want more community, more of the catalyzing effect of mutuality, and more support, a Virtual Peer Mutuality group might work for you. Do you want to register? If so click the following link: